CHAPTER 114: Hell in Berlin - Part 7

CHAPTER 114: Hell in Berlin - Part 7

Amidst the ruins and flames of Berlin, Marcus advanced with an unsteady step, cursing his own decision to search for Fénix instead of joining the others. The air was thick with acrid smoke that made him cough. Every shadow loomed as a threat, and the chaos surrounding him echoed in his mind.

"Why am I doing this?" he asked himself, frowning as his thoughts circled around his brother's safety. If Fénix was with the others, he wondered why he had exposed himself to this danger alone. Yet, worry kept him moving, fueling his desire to find him.

Suddenly, a cold, powerful hand grabbed him from behind, throwing him backward. Marcus barely managed to break his fall, landing on his back in the dusty ground. He quickly turned over, and his heart stopped at the imposing figure standing before him.

It was Marius, the former leader of the Lycans, a man who had left an indelible mark on both Fénix's and Marcus's lives. The last time he had seen him had been in a completely different context, and now, with the flames illuminating the scene, Marius seemed more spectral than human. His presence emanated an aura of authority and danger that surrounded him like a shadow.

"You?" Marcus stammered, his voice trembling. Confusion and disbelief flooded his mind with a torrent of questions. But Marius stared fixedly at him, without a word. His gaze was like an abyss, deep and empty, and he seemed to have no interest in addressing Marcus's concerns.

The tension in the air was palpable, and the silence stretched between them, heavy with the weight of a tumultuous past. Marius didn't move or speak, but his presence was enough for Marcus to feel a mix of fear and defiance. The flames reflected the internal conflict in his heart, and as he tried to gather his thoughts, a single idea repeated in his mind: what was he doing here?

Marcus stood up, his survival instinct surfacing despite the fear that gripped him. If Marius was standing before him, it wasn't just a chance encounter. It was an omen of something darker and more dangerous. The flames continued to burn, and the city continued its descent into chaos, but for Marcus, the real challenge was right in front of him.

"What do you want?" he asked, trying to keep his voice firm, though inside he questioned if he really wanted to know the answer.

Marius, with his penetrating gaze and intimidating aura, finally broke the silence. His voice, deep and almost ethereal, resonated in the chaos surrounding them.

"Marcus..." he began, the name rolling off his tongue like a distant echo. "Time has not been kind, and fate always has a twist. I have returned, but not to seek you. My mission has changed. Now..." He paused, as if each word were a riddle. "...the target is closer than you think, but you are no longer the same. You have grown, you have become stronger. But what is in Berlin, what is coming, is even more powerful."

Marcus looked at him with disbelief, struggling to process what Marius was saying. His confusion quickly turned to rage.

"Don't talk to me in riddles!" he shouted, his frustration overflowing. Without thinking twice, he threw a punch directly at Marius's face. However, the latter moved with surprising agility, dodging the blow with an almost mocking ease.

Marius counterattacked in the blink of an eye. A series of rapid, precise blows were unleashed, each one impacting Marcus's face and torso. The last blow, a direct hit, broke Marcus's nose, and the pain shot through him like lightning.

"Gah!" he exclaimed, bringing a hand to his face as he fell to his knees. Blood began to pour from his nose, mixing with the dust and smoke around him.

Marius stood observing him, a mix of admiration and disdain in his eyes.

"You have become strong, Marcus," he said, almost with a tone of respect. "Within a 110-meter radius, you are the strongest. But in Berlin, there might be someone stronger lurking. The city is a hive of power, and you are not prepared for what is coming."

Marcus slowly got up, trying to catch his breath, but Marius's certainty filled him with a palpable unease. The warning echoed in his mind, an ominous promise of an uncertain future full of dangers. Yet, the rage and the need to protect Fénix still drove him forward.

"I don't care who or what is coming," Marcus said with determination, wiping the blood from his face.

Marius looked at him with a mix of respect and challenge, as if assessing the true potential of his former subordinate.

Marius smiled with that dark smirk, as if he enjoyed the irony of the moment. He took a step back, observing Marcus, who could barely stay on his feet, blood still dripping from his broken nose.

"It's good to see you again, Marcus," he said, almost as if they were old friends. "But you still have some things to learn."

Before Marcus could react, Marius moved like lightning, raising his leg in a perfect arc. Marius's boot impacted with brutal precision on Marcus's face, throwing him backward like a ragdoll. Marcus fell heavily to the ground, his mind wavering between consciousness and darkness.

"Stay there for a while, boy," Marius said mockingly as he lowered his leg with elegance.

Marcus groaned on the ground, his vision blurry, unable to get up from the impact.

Marius stood motionless for a moment, looking into the distance as if evaluating his options. Then, he thought out loud, with an air of predatory curiosity.

"The subway... Hmm, maybe I'll find something interesting there."

With that final thought, he turned away without another word. The imposing silhouette of Marius faded into the shadows and flames devouring Berlin. He left Marcus behind as if he were a mere pawn on a larger board, aware that his true target still awaited him further ahead.

Marcus, hurt but still alive, remained on the ground, knowing that the clock was ticking and that the hell in Berlin had only just begun.